Page 58 - Summer 2024 EDM Today

EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine

EDM Today Magazine
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine Tool & Die Excellence
BY JOE BALLEK

for 77 Years
Sko-Die has been led by three
generations of the Steininger
family since 1947. Their journey
started as a classic American
success story but has trans-
formed into something greater.
EDM Today Magazine
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine core principles to build some-
It is the tale of multiple gener-
ations upholding the founder's
thing extraordinary.
Sko-Die Facility, Morton Grove, Illinois

Sko-Die has manufactured heavy-gauge metal stampings and custom steel laminations since 1947. The company
was founded by Joseph Steininger and two partners. In the 1970s, Joseph bought out the partners' interests and
became sole owner.
Born in St. Louis as the son of a Hungarian immigrant, Joseph moved to the Chicago area. He became a tool & die
maker and worked for several different shops, honing his skills as a die maker. Over the years, Joseph made many
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
industry connections. He saw that the Chicago area was a hotbed for tool & die work. He also saw opportunity,

and with an entrepreneurial spirit and with confidence in his abilities as a toolmaker, he decided to try his hand as
a business owner.
Sko-Die started with a small 2500 sq ft building in Morton Grove, Illinois. Under Joseph Steininger’s leadership,
the business experienced steady growth. Those who knew him recall that he was an excellent listener. When
meeting with prospective customers, he gave them a chance to tell him what they wanted rather than go on and on
with a sales pitch.
Around 1957, Joseph’s son Dick Steininger joined the company. Ultimately,
Dick assumed the reigns of Sko-Die as President. Dick ran the company until his
retirement in 2002. At that time, Dick’s son Patrick Steininger assumed the role of
President and is still currently running the company.
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine
EDM Today had the opportunity to visit with Patrick to learn some of their secrets
to success. Patrick explained that ever since his grandfather Joseph started the
company, they have fostered two core principles: taking care of the employees
and taking care of the customers. Those fundamental principles have not wavered
since the company was founded in 1947 and have been passed down through the
generations.
Patrick credits their longevity and growth to a strategic plan to seek out customers

powergen, industrial, medical, consumer products, and energy. They differentiate
powergen from energy in that powergen applies to the creation of energy such
Patrick Steininger from a diverse group of industries. Their work today includes aerospace,
as wind power and hydroelectric. Energy is considered as parts that go into
EDM Today Magazine
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine EDM Today, Summer 2024 Issue
motors, such as laminations. An example of consumer products is blade blanks
President, Sko-Die, Inc.
for hair trimmers.
56